TOUGH LOVE
Gerrard won’t seek quick fixes to escape danger
STEVEN GERRARD says he will face “tough decisions” as he ordered his players to put their poor results behind them.
Gerrard will take charge of his first game as Aston Villa boss against Brighton on the back of five straight defeats which has left the Midlands club two points above the drop zone.
That will thrust Gerrard straight into a relegation battle but, rather than look for quick fixes in the January transfer window, the former England midfielder wants to give the squad the chance to turn things around.
Gerrard said: “I’m looking forward to picking that first XI, that first squad. Straightaway there are tough decisions for me to face but I’m really looking forward to doing it.
“When we spoke to the players, we were very clear in not focusing on yesterday and what has gone on before.
“We wanted to be positive, upbeat and looking forward to the challenges in front of us.
“We need to be very much aware of our current form but this weekend gives us an opportunity to change it.
“I am sure there will be a full house here, I am sure the fans will be terrific, we need to give them a performance
by JOHN CROSS
to be proud of. Compared to what we have done this season, we need more individually and collectively.
“When we do and when the players produce that, I am confident you will see change.
“We’re always striving to be better in every department.
“It’s very important that we analyse the squad we’ve got and we need more training time, we need to face more challenges in terms of games and then we can pick it up from there.
“But this club’s got all the structures in place, all the departments in place, and conversations will happen in the background as we always strive to be better.”
Douglas Luiz and Morgan Sanson will not be fit for Gerrard’s first game, while Trezeguet has begun training with the first team again.
Villa have several promising young players and Gerrard is determined to make them part of his plans.
He wants to champion the youth policy, keep the young players involved and get more into first-team training sessions.
“It’s part of their jobs and roles that we have a responsibility to try and improve every player at Aston Villa,” added Gerrard.